Acer Aspire 5930(G) owner thread

i do not have this problem there is clearly a default so yeah borked one

 

well, i've played Grid and crysis demos, i'm 72°C top with 670/1675/925 both with 1280*800...seems paranormal, my 77°C stress temps i've told you about before were wrong since it was with a Dox optimised driver which heats more i've checked with 179.28 i'm stuck at 72°C... actually i'm not so impatient to change my processor because games are running like a charm...Only GTA IV runs like crap despite it is not so beautiful just bad optimised....
i'll do some benchs with the two demos if you want.

 

, how are your temps so low

I think dust might be clogging the vents, as i live in a very dusty place (riyadh)

Also, I'm on DoX, I may try the 179.28 drivers, but which gives better performance, DoX 180.84 1 or nvidia 179.28

Also I think there is something wrong with your screen, as mine is not like that.
There is only a little backlight leaking from the bottom corners

 

Heya everyone! My first post at this forum, just found my way here.

I have a 5930G myself aswell (duh why else would I be posting in this topic? ) and it has been serving me well for the duration of the four weeks that it has been in my posetion. Though some questions have come up during this time and trying to find the answers to them brought me here thanks to our friend google.

Well enough babble! Firstly I have wanted to update BIOS and through Acers website I managed to download version 1.23. Might be worth mentioning that my current version is 1.15. Well anyways the 1.23 version came as a zip file and efter extracting it I had several files and among them a readme.txt file. I opened up this one which told me to run BIOS.bat in order to launch the update. So clearly as my next step I ran the BIOS.bat file but nothing happened. So now I'm sitting here wondering, how do I do this? Should it somehow work just running the BIOS.bat file in windows? On older computers you could use a floppy. Maybe you have to use a CD or or even a USB memory and somehow make this update in BIOS right after a reboot. If so, how do I go on about doing this? I'm sure of that someone here has managed to update their BIOS and help/further instructions concerning this matter would be greatly appreciated.

On to my second questionmark. Updateing the nvidia drivers has been another priority of mine and I have managed to find a very useful site named hxxp://www.laptopvideo2go.com/ (I don't know if linking is allowed here), I'm sure of that some of you are familiar with it. Well there are alot of drivers to choose from and I'm mainly sitting here wondering which one to go for. I have read like every page of the forum comments to different drivers on that site and it has made me non the viser. In one comment someone can state that this is great for my GeForce 9600M GT blablabla and some comments later there is someone else saying that this works horrible with my GeForce 9600M GT. Well you get my point here.
So I thought I could try and get some opinions here from people with the same computer concerning what driver that works the best in their opinion since I'm sure of that some of you have tryed updateing your graphics card driver.

Well sorry for my extremly long post lol!

With hopes of answers to my questions

/Sampler

 

Take Nvidia mobile driver 179.28 on nvidia.com it's a very good driver, you won't be disappointed and won't loose your time trying drivers which bring nothing. I've tried many of laptopvideo's drivers they're not better, 179.28 is my favourite----> 3Dmarks high score, good temps and good fps average in game.

personaly speaking i flash my gpu bios with a usb key very practical but i didn't try yet flashing my bios mobo to v1.23 so can't help for now.

 

Hi, i've done it a couple days ago.
If you are runing win XP 32bits , go to the folder \v1.23\winflash\x86 and run that: EGR-123.EXE

I guess for vista: v1.23\winflash\x64


JUST RUN THE .EXE and DO NOTHING, it takes a little time to wait (about 10minutes)
and then you'll have your update made.
Personnely, I found no changing !!!

about drivers, I ve tried different. I'm not looking for performance but for temperature.
If you want to know which are the most efficient, have a look at http://translate.google.co.nz/translate?hl=en&sl=ro&u=http://www.co2-solid.ro/cel-mai-bun-driver-nvidia-pentru-notebook-ul-tau/&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=1&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3DCel%2Bmai%2Bbun%2Bdriver%2BnVIDIA%2Bpentru%2Bnotebook-ul%2B%25C5%259Fi/sau%2BiMAC-ul%2Bt%25C4%2583u!%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG


But if i were you, i'll do like Kallogan said....

 

If OS in question is 32 bit (whether XP or Vista), then you utilize the file from the x86 directory.
If the OS is 64 bit (XP or Vista) then you utilize the file from the x64 dir.

 

Ok, thanks guys for the responses! I'm gonna try the 179.28 driver. I know that it is the latest driver with the WHQL certificate, so I guess that tells that it should work somewhat satisfying.

About the BIOS problem, I guess I should try the method used by you lemigrateur. I will have to go for the \v1.23\winflash\x86 folder aswell even though I'm running Vista, more precisly Vista 32bits. From what I have understood x86 and x64 does not really depend on if you are using XP or Vista. X86 is just the old and original Intel name for 32bits operating systems whilst 64bits is the easyer term for well, the 64bits operating systems...or am I completly off here?

If I run the exe though, will there be like some kind of install shield wizard showing me the progress of the update. If no, how will I know when the update is complete? Sorry for a possibly silly question here.

/Sampler

 

or Sampler follow these steps :
http://img60.imageshack.us/my.php?image=acerbiosflarf7.jpg

Vista 32 bits = x86 !!!! And if you want to flash with usb key, you'll have to change the boot order in the bios to usb device in order to boot on your key.

 

Well, done ! I'm now v1.23. It changes nothing but maybe improves material compatibilities for the future. No auto-execution as said in the doc for me i had to run bios.bat into dos mode then it's ok.

the flashing séquence takes place on a blue screen and lasts about 2 minutes, it is quite long and the fan runs at 100% during it it's normal so don't panic

 

Congrats

What, may I ask is the point of updating the BIOS though
(my philosophy: if it aint broke, don't fix it )

Also, Which gives better game performance, DoX 180.84 or nVidia 179.28

 

They were quite similar in performance terms for me, 179.28 gives me a little more fps in GTA IV that's why i kept it but Dox 180.84 works fine too.

About bios don't know exactly since Acer ain't conversational about it ;-) but one thing is sure my overclock settings crash in game now because of this f*ck** bios ;-) i had to underclock my gpu a little to 660/1650/900 and it works fine now. I'll go back to v1.21 if it bother me again.

"my philosophy: if it aint broke, don't fix it" What could i say, i'm a venturer that's all, this sentence ain't for me.

 

well, v1.23 broke my balls by crashing too many times so i'm back to v1.21 and guess what ???? everything runs like a charm in 670/1675/925. Conclusion : For those who think computers aren't an exact science, by experience THEY ARE another proof here there is always a reason when they crashed.

Definitely not a bios version for overclokers like me...but if you skip this aspect it works fine tried not satisfied but at least i learned how to flash a mobo bios. I'll keep bios flashing for my hypothetical processor change if it's necessary

 

Ok thanks for the information. Maybe I should go for the 1.21 version then. The weird thing though is that all versions from 1.07 to 1.23 are downloadable from acers website exept for 1.21. :/ Which one should I go for now?
I think I will go with Lemigrateurs method though since yours Kallogan seems a bit more complicated.

 

I'm not usually like that (it's my dad )

It's just this is my first laptop, and I don't want to do anything that MIGHT screw it up and isn't necessary

Also, you said that DoX' 180.84 and the nividia 179 are the same in performance???
Which one gives you lower temps???

Thanks

PS - Does any one have a link to 5930 service manual
CAn you please PM it to me
Thanks again

 

Heu the only way to flash a bios is in dos mode i don't know what lemigrateur have done exactly but i seriously doubt the fact he has really updated his bios...to be checked. Cause for me it doesn't work in windows mode...like any bios flashing by the way. However if you don't have in mind doing crazy overclokings, V1.23 should work fine. Btw, just to know, why do you absolutely want to flash it ?????

Sampler it's weird because i have actually downloaded the v1.21 from acer website (acer france so maybe that's the point don't know...) which allowed me to go back to this version. Luckily it's reversible ;-)

"It's just this is my first laptop, and I don't want to do anything that MIGHT screw it up and isn't necessary" I've been there

"Which one gives you lower temps???" 179.28 for me

"Does any one have a link to 5930 service manual"
How in the first place did you hear about it ? It's like the holy grail we aren't sure it really exists We didn't have this conversation, i want to stay alive

 

Cool, I'll give em a try today

No worries
*winks at kallagan*
got your PM

I heard about it on these forums, and just wanted to see what all the "hype" was about
Guess I'll find out in a bit

 

Well I thought that updateing the BIOS might inprove performance, haven't had any major problems or anything like that.

And ohh a "certain" manual, I would not say no to a PM either.

Well thanks for all the help so far. Out of curiosity, is there an other drivers expept the nvidia driver that deserves upgradeing?
And just since this is bugging me. How many processors/how much cpu usage and how much memory usage do you have right upon startup. I have 67 processes and 31% memory load. The processor usage goes from like 2-14%.

 

I've found out the only memory which could provide a noticeable boost to our computers, and guess what, minimum price is 200 euros for a 4 GB kit on ldlc, far too expensive for the gain it brings (about 5-10% max) :
KHX6400S2ULK2/4G 4GB 800MHz Low-Latency DDR2 CL4 4-4-4-12
(Kit of 2 x 2GB)

compared to my actual 4GB 667 mhz DDR2 latency 5-5-5-15

Sampler i didn't success to send you a MP cause the option doesn't appear on your profile

at start up processus :52 // memory utilisation :32% while loading then 22% when it stops loading (of my recognized 3 GB ) // processor : 0-10% average but may vary i've had some one second rises at 33% for example.

For vga drivers, best way to go is to try by yourself if you're not satisfied with the official mobile driver but you'll loose your time since i've experienced from 180.70 to 185.20 and don't find any of them awesome.
180.70 and Dox's 184.84 are good drivers but not better than 179.28, 181.00 and 185.20 are sh*tty drivers for 9600M GT.

 

I'm gonna go for the 179.28 driver. Not sure about the BIOS update though, worried I might screw something up.
And with other drivers I meant like drivers for the soundcard etc.
52 processes, have you kept any Acers software at all?
And weird that you couldn't send me a PM, that manual probalby could have been quite handy.

*Edit, I enabled receiving emails from other members in my profile, don't know if it helps.

 

I have seventy processes running

I'm not sure how to disable some of them, they keep re-appearing

I am also getting the 179.28 drivers as I speak

@ sampler - I think you need more posts before you can send and recieve PMs

 

"I'm not sure how to disable some of them, they keep re-appearing"

Well, i know how to do it and it explains my low number of processus i've deleted all crappy nooby acer programs i can't bear them they make the system too slow and are totally useless i just kept the one for the webcam.

 

I don't think updating the bios is essential ... at least not unless Acer decides to lift theRAM restrictions from 4 to 8 (how much the chipset supports) ... and possibly for the new cpu upgrade (although in my personal opinion, the cpu such as T9800 should work fine in our 5930).

As for upgrading the bios ... it can be done through Windows.
I've done that twice on my old DELL laptop with no issues.

I think I will do so on this one as well as it's faster ... but not yet.
I think the supported RAM goes up to 4GB with 1.21 version of BIOS (which is what I have).

I would like to ask something if possible:
How to make a DOS boot usb key ... also how to use it to upgrade this laptops BIOS (and also restore the older version if necessary).

 

Ok, I guess I will have to accumulate some more posts then. Although I checked the FAQ and the section concerning Private Messages mentioned nothing about a post limit.

Well anyways, before installing the new nvidia driver, should I uninstall the previous nvidia driver? And if so, both the display driver and the nvidia high definition audio driver or just the display driver? Or maybe the preferd thing is to just install the new driver "over" the old one prior to any uninstall.

 

Best to un-install, and then boot in safe mode and run a program called driver sweeper.

Choose nVidia and run a scan, delete everything that appears

Then boot into normal windows normally and install the new driver
Best way to install a driver the first time, then you can just uninstall/ install

 

Ok, thanks for the information Rayyan. I'm still puzzled concerning if I should uninstall the nvidia high definition audio driver. Is that connected to the display driver or is it something else?

 

Deks--->I've uploaded a tool for creating a bootable USB Stick. Just install & run it, choose FAT32, check the Button "create a DOS startup disk" and enter the location of the extracted "Win98BootDisk" folder. This should work ;-)

http://rapidshare.com/files/150283174/bootstick.zip.html

thanx the guy who posted it on laptopvideo

You guys ask lots of question without searching by yourself... It's not that it bother me i have time to answer you but responses already exist in google

 

No I don't think you should

When un-installing just choose to un-install the display driver, not the audio one.
Windows will pop up with a message saying something like: The program did not un-install correctly, but just ignore it/cancel the message

Just un-install the display driver and follow my instructions above

Good luck

@kall
Search os a word that is not in many people's vocab
Plus they all know you have most of the answers

 

New mobile card probably MXM 2
http://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-GeForce-GT-130M.13789.0.html

The performance of the GT 130M should be somewhere near the 9650M GS because of the high shader clock rate (with GDDR3) and about 20% faster (max) than a 9600M GT.

Well, bla bla bla only 5500 in 3dmarks again a marketing joke

 

When, and if I replace my card, it will be with a 46XX if possible [not sure if they will be MXM-II yet], because from what i have read the 4670 will totally PWN the 9600M GT, but from your post above, the nVidia one only offers a 20% boost

I'll wait for benchies on both

 

is upgrading DDR2 667mhz to DDR2 800mhz worth the money ?

 

Rayyan You're right i didn't manage to find if the mobility HD 4670 will be Mxm 2 or not but logically she should be. An interesting card to follow...

Cyx Frankly no.

 

Well you know ... I tried searching for the info on creating the bootable dos stick.
a lot of conflicting info came up not just on google, but here as well, which is why I asked.
I usually first search for the necessary info on google and other sites on my own and ask for help if I can't seem to find it myself.

As for the new Ati cards ... it's difficult to say at this point.
I don't know if they will share the MXM-II slot.
It all depends really, so we'll just have to see.
But again, I see no point in upgrading just yet.
The components in question would be too expensive.

 

True, I will be keeping my eye on the mobility 4000 series for some time, looking forward to benchmarks from them

@deks, missed your post while typing
ATM they will be too expensive, true
But they present a viable option for an upgrade in the future say in 6months to a year

 

No.
You won't gain anything performance-wise.
You're better off upgrading your RAM to maximum (4GB for now ... unless you already have it) using the same 667mhz version.

 

"But again, I see no point in upgrading just yet."
Totally agree but I just like to know about novelties which could concern our laps in the future

As for the bootable disk story well, i can imagine it can be difficult to find maybe I was lucky. Whatever...not important, i would be happy to explain it to you step by step if you want

 

Hey guys, do you have any problems with the screens brightness? Mine is awfully bright, escpecially at the bottom. Changing the light strength to minimum makes a slight difference but everything else gets dull. I'm sending it back to the store to get it looked at but I thought I'd get some insight from you folks as well.

If you use a black desktop background does it actually look black? Because mine is more towards gray. Changing the angle of the screen will help a little but at the same time the top will become more "darkish".

Any help will be appreciated deeply

 

phyxtc

I don't see any issues with my screen.
True, I do use a black bg for the most part and it does seem a tad gray-ish ... but to be completely honest, it's to be expected for a laptop LCD screen in my opinion, so there isn't much to worry about.

As for everything else.
Oh I agree that keeping ourselves informed on the novelties and see the potential for upgrading in about 6 to 12 months as a very viable option.
Let's just hope that the benchmarks will show mid range ATI cards to be much more superior compared to 9600m GT, and compatible with our MXM-II slots.

 

At first I thought there was something wrong with the screen, but I only noticed it when watching movies, and was able to change the settings in GOMPlayer so that videos look fine

Here is a screenie of my desktop, and to me the wallpaper is black, not gray:

 

Oh a world of goo player but what a shame you don't have mass effect !!!!!!!!

 

mine doesn't look gray at all...just looks hot

 

Guys, please use thumbnails instead, these images are huge and people with slow connection will have really hard time with them.

 

Haha LOL
Nice one, a fellow anime fan I take it

Also, I'm not really into RPGs but I heard that Mass Effect is good, so I may try it

@ATG
Changed to thumbnail, sorry about that

I'm getting a little worried about my temps, and think that there might be alot of dust in the vents.
Can someone tell me how I can clean them using a vaccum cleaner, and also which ones to clean

 

You have several fans ???? i have only one main fan connected to CPU & GPU via heatpipe. I cleaned mine with a brush but it's not very efficient a vaccum can indeed do a better job. Did you open your lap to see if dust there is ???

i'm not rpgs too but this game roxxx

 

Heya, just thought I would let you know I followed your instructions rayyan and it worked well. Driver Sweeper did not work for me at all though, got multiple errors resulting in a crash whenever launching it after install :/. I installed a program called Driver Cleaner instead and it worked like a charm. I can acctually notice a slight improvement when comparing to my old nvidia driver which was 174 something. So thanks for the help guys, I will definetly check this thread every now and then. As concerning the BIOS upgrade i'll just put that on hold for a while.
And Kallogan, google is wery wery well used by me. For example the site that brought me to this place. And I googled all of my questions before asking here but got contradicting answers from different places. And since everyone posting in this thread most likely has the same pc model and just not one specific part, as for example nVidia GeForceM 9600 GT, I found it to be appropriate to ask here.
Well once again thansk for the help and quick answers fellows!

 

nobody tried linux yet

 

I haven't opened it yet, but trust me I know its dusty

Do you think I could get by if I use a vaccum on the underside, against the fan without opening it up
I'm scared that might void the warranty (from a retailer not acers so....)

Glad we could help

I recently upgraded to nvidia's 179,28 from DoX's 180.70, and saw a good increase in performance

I now play Far Cry 2 at HIGH settings at 1280x800

 

Rayyan, I'm using the vacuum cleaner on my 5930 exhaust vents when I'm cleaning them ... it has an excellent effect actually, and no, it won't void your warranty in any capacity.
So, vacuum away.
I also have to mention that I have yet to use the compressed air can.

I think I will also switch to Nvidia official drivers myself for XP (as I'm still using Dox's 180.84
Vista x64 is already using those official drivers, but I don't have any games on that OS installed just yet because I have things to do in XP.


On another note ... I tried installing the official nvidia drivers on my cousin's 5920 Acer with 8600m GT (OS: XP SP3)
It's odd, but each time I did so, the resolution was on 640x480 on 4bit and it refused to change.
Granted, he does have Windows Blinds installed and several other programs at startup that could be messing up the drivers functionality.
I hope a similar situation won't occur on my XP SP3.
Well, I'll just see later this evening (probably).

 

How exactly do you clean the vents on the underside of the lappy

Do you just put the head flush against each of the vents, and let it suck away???

Also, do you have to hold any fans in place using something like tweezers???

PS - Anyone play[ing] far cry 2???
Which settings guys??

 

okay is there anyone of you that using powerdvd 8, I have some problem when i'm gonna play DVD on dualview screen. It's working perfectly when I play the movie on my laptop screen but when I move it to dualview (my TV) the pictures seems to have trouble fallow in the fast scens if you know what I mean =). The wierd thing is that if I'm using media player classic it works like a charm. So is there any setting you need to change in powerdvd?

Using HDMI from computer to TV.